Ghanaian President Nana Addo Dankwa Akufo-Addo on Saturday paid tribute to the former chairman of the Alliance for a Green Revolution in Africa (AGRA) and former Secretary-General of the United Nations, Kofi Annan.Speaking on the sidelines of the African Green Revolution Forum (AGRF) just concluded in Kigali, Rwanda, Akuffo-Addo said the former UN boss and a compatriot has been among key pioneers in urging leaders to promote an innovative approach dedicated to turn agriculture in Africa to be more sustainable.

The tributes made during the event were as glowing and distinctive as the attendees’ memories of the man himself.
“Kofi Annan was the animating force of modern African agriculture,” said AGRA’s current board chair Strive Masiyiwa.
“His integrity and vision inspired us to embrace the potential of the African farmer to lift millions out of poverty and propel our economies along a path to prosperity,” he added.
Meanwhile, a panel of experts at the 2018 AGRF in Kigali, Rwanda, agreed that the continent was ripe for an economic upturn which is set to be driven by agriculture.

However, to achieve this green future, it was insisted, leaders and other stakeholders need to work together to create a conducive environment for agriculture to flourish.
“Farmers know what is good for them. And, therefore, as leaders design policies for the sector, it is important to consult the people who know about agriculture better than anybody else, and those are the farmers”, said Donald Kaberuka, former president of the African Development Bank.